September 26, 2016

A greenhouse gas reduction bill signed into law in
California has been designed to encourage greater organics recycling and
byproducts anaerobic digestion while also clamping down on landfill methane
emissions.

A news release issued by the governor’s office says SB
1383 reduces the emission of “super pollutants” (also known as short-lived
climate pollutants) and promotes renewable energy by requiring a 50 percent
reduction in black carbon and 40 percent reduction in methane and
hydrofluorocarbon from 2013 levels by 2030. Sources of these substances include
landfills, petroleum-based transportation fuels, livestock, and gases used in
refrigeration, air conditioning and aerosol products.

An online news report by the San Jose Mercury News says
the bill’s effects may include changes to the way organics such as food scraps
are handled within the state. Additionally, funding has been earmarked to help
direct agricultural byproducts toward anaerobic digestion (AD) systems.

The report says the new law calls for a statewide 50 percent
increase in composting to handle organic waste, since materials such as food
scraps emit methane when they break down in landfills.

Dairy farmers will have access to cap-and-trade funds as a
way to help them reduce methane emissions from manure. Up to $50 million in
such funds have been earmarked to help purchase AD systems.